After spending much of the season trying to fill vacancies created by injuries, the Nationals are about to get a couple of key veterans back from the disabled list.

Both Chad Tracy and Jayson Werth are expected to be activated off the DL during this week's homestand, with Tracy perhaps joining the active roster as soon as tomorrow.

Werth probably needs a few more days on his rehab assignment with Class AAA Syracuse, though the outfielder (who broke his left wrist on May 6) has begun to swing a hot bat. After going hitless in his first 12 at-bats, he enters tonight's game against Lehigh Valley having reached base in six of his last eight plate appearances with three singles, a double and two walks.

Werth has played seven total games on rehab, and both he and the Nationals prefer he spend a bit more time getting his timing down before he comes off the DL. That move could happen in time for this weekend's four-game series against the Marlins.

Tracy, meanwhile, is 6-for-9 with a homer and three RBI over the last three days with Syracuse. He's appeared in 11 total games withRead more »

Not sure on the word, because I heard differently, that he has become a clubhouse leader… Also, heard that Giants (or any other team) want the Cubs to eat enough of Soriano's salary that they can release him without financial distress. That doesn't make a guy want to accept a trade.

Bowden is reporting that Soriano himself refused to go to the Giants. You can take Bowden as a reputable source or not … sometimes he is right on the money … he was about the Gio trade which initially upset me quite a bit. Losing all of those prospects really hurt at the time.

Both Kevin Correia of the Pirates and Schierholtz of the Giants have requested trades. Lannan-esque. Have to wonder if Lannan recanted and withdrew his request?The thinking is they may be accommodated tonight.

When Stras is benched, that will give the FO an excuse for having the Braves overtake the Nats. But, in actuality, it won't change the outcome. The Nats have the team, now, to go all the way. But, not this year. There is still work to be done.

I worked a long day yesterday, finally had time to try to catch up on my favorite baseball blog. I read through 211 posts, almost a third of them from one poster, and a large portion of them were mean spirited, snotty personal attacks against other posters, especially the ladies on this blog. It's quite obvious that this guy doesn't like women. I always cast a wary eye at a man that doesn't like women.

Now you're talking, terpman. Here's to the Nats – cheers. :-)terpman33 said… Well,the Padres just beat the Reds, so it's official. We are the BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL, record wise. Ah heck, WE ARE OFFICIALLY THE BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL!!!!! I know i said a month ago I didn't like the "we're still in first place" comments, but dammit, I'm hyped. Let's sweep the philthies, and GYFNG!!!!!!! July 30, 2012 11:02 PM

How many players are going to walk around on eggshells today? If your manager or GM even looks at you , you could be leaving or being sent down to make room for a new guy. Speaking of which, has the Tracy/back to AAA situation happened yet?

Really dumb of Boswell to try to compare career stats when analyzing the an acquisition in the middle of a pennant race. So, if the Nats convinced Pudge to come out of retirement, would it be valid to compare Pudge's career stats to McCann's to claim that the Nats are as solid behind the plate as Atlanta.Maholm is 9-6 3.74 ERA this year with the crappy Cubs and 1.2 WHIP. In his last 6 starts Maholm has pitched into the 7th in each game and has not given up more than 1 earned run. Yes, Lannan may have been an equal or better pitcher than Maholm in 2009 and 2010, but not now. Really hate when someone who knows better throws out a totally irrelevant stat to try to prove a point. Still like the Nats chances to finish ahead of the Braves, but to try to claim Maholm and Lannan are equals right now is really stupid.Mike Rizzo would take Paul Maholm right now ten times out of ten over Jon Lannan.